Our People

Upon returning to New Zealand Rebecca moved back to the Ellesmere area and managed a local wine bar/cafe for several years before deciding to change career paths ever so slightly. She returned to study at NZSTT and completed a Diploma in Travel, Tourism and Business Technology. This path took her to the Air New Zealand Airpoints call centre and then into corporate travel working for a subsidiary travel agent for the University of Canterbury.  

Rebecca then took a leave of absence to become a parent and worked part-time in administration for a local taxidermist. Once her children started the local primary school she became heavily involved in the PTA and this ignited her love of working with children and was prompted to delve into the teaching profession. The 3 year Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) degree beckoned and so Rebecca again returned to tertiary education, this time as a distance learner and completed this in 2016.

Since being at Ellesmere College-Te Kāreti o Waihora Rebecca has used these lifelong learning journeys and skills to be able to move rapidly into middle management where she became the Year 7 Dean in her first year of being fully qualified. In 2020 Rebecca co-led the Year 7 and 8 department and is now the Year 7 Team Leader and Kaitiaki as well as being appointed as the Adjunct Assistant Principal in 2022 to oversee Covid-19 and our ERO review. She is also the staff representative on the Board of Trustees. Rebecca is excited to be a part of the pedagogical change that has been occurring over the past few years and every year looks forward to welcoming new students to Ellesmere College/Te Kāreti o Waihora.

Antony has been the staff representative on the Board of Trustees, the PPTA branch secretary and subsequently the PPTA branch chairperson,  relief teacher coordinator and led the organising committee for the senior formal as well as a myriad of other roles. Antony coached the 1st XV rugby team for 10 years, has run touch rugby teams, organised or participated in over 50 school camps at year 7,10 and 13 and has coached the EC Clay Target Shooting team for the past 5 years. Having the privilege of coaching a number of students to regional, South Island and National Champion levels is something that he is proud to have achieved. Whilst working in the Senior Leadership Team, Antony has had the opportunity to strengthen his leadership skills and is most proud to be part of a dedicated and professional team who have implemented progressive change designed to gain the best possible outcomes for all of our learners. 

When asked recently by a student what he liked most about teaching he replied, “While I understand that I may not be able to change the world, I know that I have been a part of the lives of many young people who will”

He is experienced in interacting with students who have a wide variety of behavioural and learning needs. He was part of the team that developed and implemented the vertical form system at Ellesmere College and has been a strong supporter of the Whanau competition and its continued improvement.

He joined the PB4L team in 2016 and attended their conferences in 2016 and 2017. The central ideas of PB4L (common values, clear expectations, de-escalation, and restorative practice) have resonated with him and he bases his approach to behaviour management around them.

At all times he prioritises the needs and wellbeing of the student while seeking to maintain positive relationships between students and teachers. He considers fairness to be an important aspect of any outcome that is obtained after a disagreement.

Currently Craig is the Head of the Science Learning Area, Principal’s Nominee, and in charge of Timetable, Assessment, Reporting and Kamar.

Craig is a past pupil of Ellesmere College-Te Kāreti o Waihora and is proud to have returned as a staff member. Between leaving and returning he gained a B.Sc and Post Graduate Diploma majoring in Geology from the University of Canterbury. He travelled overseas visiting Europe and North Africa, taught (accidentally) as a relief teacher in Dublin and on his return gained his teaching degree from the Christchurch College of Education.